Student bloggers
- Argentina
Read more about MagnusMagnus
Hi! My name is Magnus, and I will be studying power, politics and religion in Buenos Aires in the fall of 2026. I am 18 years old, and I will be moving with three close friends and a twin brother away from rainy Bergen to (hopefully) sunny Buenos Aires. When you finish your school career, there are few better opportunities than spending a gap year on the other side of the world? Argentina and South America are areas that most people have never seen, and I am really looking forward to experiencing a completely new culture with new impressions. I am looking forward to a completely different life with completely new people, and hope to hear a lot of new music, try new food and maybe learn how to dance authentic tango. Otherwise, I love both school and new experiences, and I am really looking forward to exchanging bad weather and shop work for comfortable temperatures and exciting school work, with a study that is perhaps more relevant now than it has been in a long time!
- Argentina
Read more about OlineOline
Hi! My name is Oline, I am 23 years old and I will be studying Spanish in Buenos Aires in the fall of 2026. I usually study journalism at the University of Bergen, but when the opportunity arose for an exchange, I had no doubt about choosing Kulturstudier. I have several friends who have previously traveled with Kulturstudier, and they have talked warmly about their experiences. I really enjoy traveling and exploring new parts of the world. Previously, I have studied in Bali, backpacked in Southeast Asia and went on a pilgrimage from Portugal to Spain. This will be my first time traveling to South America, and I am really looking forward to it! In addition to improving my Spanish, I am looking forward to making new friends, experiencing Argentine culture and getting out of my comfort zone. I am looking forward to tango nights and weekend trips, but also to creating an everyday life in a big city!
- Nepal and Sri Lanka
Read more about KathrineKathrine
Not going out into the world to study while I am young, fit and eligible for student grants, seemed like a stupid choice. So I studied for a semester in Barcelona after high school. I was nervous, but after just a few hours with my new fellow students, my nerves had turned into pure joy. Later, I started a bachelor's degree in journalism. Now I am taking a semester in Nepal as an exchange. I chose the countryside north of India because I am a big fan of yoga, outdoor activities and spectacular sunsets. In addition, like many others, I am somewhat uneasy about the current world situation. Climate change and serious conflicts can make the future look dark. But to quote Dumbledore from the Harry Potter films: "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light". As a young person, I am looking forward to peace and conflict studies, and to gaining a deeper understanding of how we achieve peace. There are so many wonderful people working for a better world. Why not join in?
- Costa Rica
Read more about GuroGuro
Hi! My name is Guro, and in the fall of 2026 I will be studying Spanish in beautiful Costa Rica. It will be incredibly exciting to explore a culture that is vastly different from what I am used to from Trondheim, where I have lived most of my life. My love for languages and new cultures blossomed when I traveled on exchange as a high school student in Montana. Since then, I have dreamed of an opportunity to truly immerse myself in the Spanish language in the same way. It will be incredibly exciting to explore everything San Isidro has to offer in terms of nature, shops and social meeting places. I am looking forward to walking around the village, trying my hand at surfing for the very first time on the coast and not least experiencing tropical rain showers that belong to the rainy season in the fall. Now I am really looking forward to getting to know Costa Rica's well-known "pura vida" culture, and to sharing the bigger impressions and small moments here along the way. I am sure it will be a truly magical semester on the other side of the Atlantic!
- Costa Rica
Read more about JohannaJohanna
Halla! My name is Johanna and I am an 18-year-old girl from the good town of Fredrikstad. I really enjoy traveling, meeting other cultures and experiencing new places in the world. In the fall of 2026, I will be joining Global Environmental Studies in Costa Rica, before I will continue into my first-time ministry in April. My idea is therefore to spend the time waiting until April on something unique and adventurous. Acquaintances of mine have described this study as something they would never have done without. What they have told me has included riding horses at sunset, surfing along the Pacific coast, and quiet evenings with the best company. Not least, they have gained new ideas about how the world should take inspiration from Costa Rica, both culturally and through environmental awareness. I am excited to experience this for myself! I am very much looking forward to the waiting time to travel soon being over. Stay tuned to hear about the adventure!
- Vietnam
Read more about NicoleNicole
Hi! My name is Nicole and I am 21 years old. I grew up in Costa Rica, but I am half Norwegian, so I have lived in S Now I feel very ready to start studying, but not to give up traveling. Previously, I have traveled a lot in Europe and South America, but I am very unfamiliar with both Asia and Africa. Therefore, a one-year study program with Development Studies in Vietnam and Ghana seems like the perfect solution. I am really looking forward to visiting two completely new countries over a longer period, and of course I am looking forward to meeting new people! I am still unsure of what I want to do next with my studies, but I am pretty sure that I will find out along the way. At home, I have worked at a restaurant that is very concerned with sustainability. I know Vietnamese food will be a fantastic experience, but I would also have liked to learn more about the actual agriculture in the area, and possibly visit some farms or rice fields. Otherwise, I really like sewing, which is perfect considering the tailors in Hoi An. Suddenly I will learn something from them, who knows? It will definitely be really exciting! Welcome to the blog, I can't wait to share my journey with you!
- Costa Rica
Read more about TinaTina
Hi, my name is Tina and I have long had a great interest in other languages and cultures. I am studying to be a teacher in Trondheim, and in the fall of 2022 I had the opportunity to go on an exchange - something I had long dreamed of! I wanted to go to a Spanish-speaking country to learn Spanish, and the choice fell on Costa Rica with Kulturstudier. Costa Rica had long been one of my "bucket list countries", so I was very happy when I got the semester in Costa Rica approved as an exchange in the teacher education! Not only did I learn Spanish in tropical and inspiring surroundings, but I also got to experience a completely different culture and everyday life as a student. My semester in Costa Rica gave me friends and memories for life, and I hope my experiences can inspire others to study abroad!
- Nepal and Sri Lanka
Read more about NeoNeo
My name is Neo, and I studied peace and conflict studies in Nepal and Sri Lanka in the fall of 2025. I am now on a gap year, but will start studying at the University of Bergen in the fall of 2026. I also work as a student ambassador for Kulturstudier. My stay in Nepal was fantastic, not only did I learn a lot about peace, conflict and history in South Asia, I also learned a lot about culture and really got to know a country. In my gap year after high school, I really wanted to travel, but didn't know where, but when I found out about Kulturstudier I thought this was right up my alley. I am interested in history and society, and the stay in Nepal was a great combination of studies and travel, where you spend a couple of months in a country and really get to know it and how it works. The stay gave me a taste for travel, and helped me find answers in life!
- Costa Rica
Read more about AstridAstrid
Hi! My name is Astrid, I'm 20 years old and I'm going to study Spanish in Costa Rica in the spring of 2026! I'm from Trondheim, but I've also lived in Valencia for a year, where I grew up I've spent the last year doing my first service, and now I'm looking forward to exploring what tropical Costa Rica has to offer. I have a weakness for everything to do with travel, and I feel most comfortable outdoors. In addition, a lot of my free time is spent exercising and knitting, and I'm looking forward to bringing all of this into my new everyday life. I'm counting down the days until I leave, and I'm really looking forward to my new everyday life filled with everything Costa Rica has to offer, and not least to sharing the adventure with you!
- Vietnam
- Ghana
Read more about KristineKristine
Hello everyone! My name is Kristine and I am now starting my fourth semester with Kulturstudier – this time in Ghana! In the fall of 2023, I had my first semester of cultural studies in Nepal. I enjoyed the combination of school, new people and everything a new country has to offer so much that I decided to take a bachelor's degree in development studies with Kulturstudier and OsloMet. Having the opportunity to travel the world and study at the same time felt almost too good to be true! Now I am counting down to the start of my studies, and I can hardly wait to get to know our study city, Cape Coast, meet the other students and the locals! I am really looking forward to sharing this journey with you!
- Nepal and Sri Lanka
Read more about CarolineCaroline
Hi, my name is Caroline and I am 24 years old. I am actually in the middle of a master's degree in law, but have taken a leave of absence to study peace and conflict studies in Nepal in the spring of 2026. During my studies, I became very interested in the international law of war and how conflicts in the world affect international interaction. I quickly realized that peace and conflict studies was something I wanted to delve into further. In addition, I wanted to travel the world to gain new perspectives and experiences. A stay in Pokhara was therefore the perfect solution for me. In addition, I really enjoy outdoor activities and nature experiences, and I am really looking forward to venturing into the mighty Himalayan mountains. I am also looking forward to experiencing a new culture and meeting many new people. Follow along here to get an insight into everyday life at the university and everything that happens in Pokhara!
- Costa Rica
Read more about BertineBertine
Hi! My name is Bertine, and in the spring of 2026 I will be studying global environmental studies in Quepos, Costa Rica. I grew up in Oslo, but recently spent three years in Milan, where I studied media design. After living in the big city, I found out that city life is not really for me. I feel most comfortable when I can spend time in nature and by the sea. I like to make things and let new ideas emerge. A lot of my time is spent on various creative projects, such as knitting, crocheting, writing, photography and dancing. Summer, sun and sea inspire me the most, so I am looking forward to exchanging the winter cold in Norway for warm days, beach life and a tropical climate. I love swimming, being by the sea and diving, and in Costa Rica I also want to learn to surf! I look forward to learning more about how the environment and society are interconnected, and to experiencing everyday life in Costa Rica, and not least sharing small and big moments from here with you along the way.
- Argentina
Read more about KristiKristi
Hi! My name is Kristi, I am 22 years old and from a small village in Western Norway. I completed a bachelor's degree in economics at NTNU in the spring of 2024, and instead of starting a master's degree right away, I chose to take a semester in Buenos Aires. After a month in Buenos Aires, I was saved by the city, and one semester thus became two. Between the two semesters, I have spent the time traveling in Latin America with friends, family and a little alone, which has been incredibly cool and exciting. Otherwise, I am an active and social person. I love working out and especially running, eating and cooking good food, reading, being outdoors, knitting, being with friends, and getting to know new people. Buenos Aires and Argentina have given me the opportunity to do everything, and I look forward to sharing some of this with you!
- Costa Rica
Read more about RagnhildRagnhild
Hi! My name is Ragnhild, and in the spring of 2025 I will be studying global environmental studies in Costa Rica! This fall I took a semester with Kulturstudier in Nepal. This was originally supposed to be a gap year to figure out what I wanted to do next, but instead I fell for the combination of travel and studies. I therefore decided to take a bachelor's degree in development studies through Oslo Met, and plan to take four of the semesters together with Kulturstudier. I love meeting new people, being active, experiencing and learning new things. So it wasn't a difficult choice to go to Costa Rica for the next semester. Living 5 minutes away from the beach in a tropical climate, with the opportunity to surf every day is the dream! I'm really looking forward to all the new experiences I'll have here, and I can't wait to share a little of my everyday life with you here in Manuel Antonio.
- Argentina
Read more about MatildeMatilde
My name is Matilde, I am 19 years old and I will be studying Spanish in Buenos Aires in the spring of 2026. Before the summer I finished high school in the field of art, design and architecture. At that time, I was unsure of what to study, and whether I should start right away. I had a specialization in Spanish at school and knew that I wanted to become even better at the language. What could be better than living in a Spanish-speaking country while also getting Norwegian credits? I am not only looking forward to learning the language, but also to experiencing all the culture that Buenos Aires has to offer. I find it particularly interesting to learn about the history of different places and how the art reflects it. In addition to visiting several of Buenos Aires' many art museums, I am looking forward to experiencing how art tells the city's history in everyday encounters, for example in the city's architecture. I also love dancing and am looking forward to experiencing tango in its homeland, hopefully learning a little myself, and sharing it on the blog!
- Vietnam
Read more about HedvigHedvig
My name is Hedvig and I will be studying development studies in Hoi An this spring. After high school, I have chosen to take a gap year to figure out what I want to do next, and not least to take the opportunity to go to a part of the world I have not been to before and experience something new and exciting. A semester with Kulturstudier seemed like the right choice for me. Not only will I get to travel to Vietnam, but I will also have the opportunity to live there for a longer period and have a daily life that is completely different from my life back home in Norway. That way, I will get to know local traditions, food and ways of life better than I would as a tourist. I am looking forward to getting to know the city, the other students and at the same time gaining an understanding of global (and personal) development. I look forward to sharing experiences and lessons learned in the coming months!
- Ghana
Read more about LeahLeah
Hi! My name is Leah, and I am a 21-year-old girl from Bergen who loves to travel. After high school, I was determined to go to Africa, and therefore ended up taking the Focus on Africa course at the folk high school. Then I took a year's study in psychology, before I felt like traveling again. Therefore, I chose to travel to Vietnam and Ghana with Kulturstudier to take a year of study in development studies. The semester in Vietnam was incredibly nice, and now I am looking forward to 10 weeks in Ghana to experience more of Africa!
- Nepal and Sri Lanka
Read more about ØyunØyun
Hi! My name is Øyun and I am studying Peace and Conflict Studies in Nepal in the spring of 2025. I am now staying at New Hotel Darshan with the other students here in Pokhara! Before I came here, I lived in Oslo, got a bachelor's degree in political science and worked at PRIO (Institute for Peace Research). I am really looking forward to experiencing something completely new and not least a new country. I really love nature and meeting new people, and I am looking forward to experiencing Nepal and not least the Himalayas. I am looking forward to meeting the locals and experiencing the fantastic culture, not to forget to get a greater insight into Peace and Conflict Studies in such an exciting learning context. Follow the student blog to get an insight into everyday life here in beautiful Pokhara!
- Nepal and Sri Lanka
Read more about TuvaTuva
My name is Tuva, I am 23 years old and come from Oslo. I have now arrived in Nepal, and I am ready to start studying peace and conflict in Pokhara! I previously had a bachelor's degree in violin, but after injuring my shoulder I had to take a break. So what could be better than going to Nepal and exploring everything the country has to offer? I am really looking forward to taking a deep dive into the culture and living close to the people here, not to mention hiking in the mighty Himalayas. I am very interested in both yoga and meditation, as well as outdoor activities and activities that give me adrenaline. I am really looking forward to the combination of this together with what I think will be an exciting study day. Stay tuned!
- Costa Rica
Read more about AneAne
Hi! My name is Ane and I am studying in San Isidro, Costa Rica this spring semester. Currently I am living in a host family with a sweet host mom who makes the best breakfast! However I used to live in Stavanger in Norway. The last couple of moths I have worked as a substitute teacher back home, and I am really looking forward to something new. I really enjoy music, nature, people and knitting. In Costa Rica I would love to learn how to surf and to see as many butterflies as possible. I hope you enjoy reading about our experiences here in this beautiful town!
- Vietnam
Read more about JonasJonas
Hi, my name is Jonas and I will be studying Development Studies 1 in Vietnam this spring. I am 19 years old and graduated from Nydalen Videregående last year. In the fall semester I worked at a school. I think combining work, travel, and studies is a great idea during a "gap year", as you get a lot of valuable experience in many different arenas. I have been really looking forward to experiencing a new culture, meeting new people, and learning a lot about an exciting field in Vietnam this spring. I became aware of Kulturstudier and their great program through a stand at my school, and I hope to be able to convey some of the same enthusiasm through blog posts during this semester, as the Kulturstudier representative did at the school stand!
- Costa Rica
Read more about TheaThea
Hi! My name is Thea, I am 26 years old and I am studying Spanish in Costa Rica in the fall of 2025. I grew up on a farm in Rennebu, but have spent the last four years in Oslo, where I wrote a bachelor's degree in criminology about fisheries crime. My plan is to do a master's degree in green criminology, so it was a perfect fit with some academic enrichment in San Isidro. My free time is spent on various creative projects such as knitting, photography and drawing. I enjoy salt water in my hair or on adventures in nature the most. Freediving has been a big part of my life in recent years, and I have been involved in underwater clean-up operations, among other things. In Costa Rica, I want to explore more water activities, where surfing is high on the list. I look forward to sharing moments and experiences from Costa Rica with you, especially considering that the rainy season in Costa Rica means extra lush and green nature!
- Argentina
Read more about HalvorHalvor
Hi! My name is Halvor, I am 21 years old and I am studying at NHH in Bergen. In the fall of 2022 I spent a semester in Buenos Aires, and in the spring of 2025 I was on exchange in Rio de Janeiro. I work as an ambassador for Kulturstudier in Bergen, where I promote the study offers. I love traveling and learning languages, and I developed a love for Latin America after my stay in Argentina. I have been to most of the countries in the area, and I will probably never get tired of traveling here. Otherwise, I enjoy playing soccer, surfing, spending time in nature and cooking.
- Argentina
Read more about LinaLina
Hi, my name is Lina, and I am from Oslo. I chose to travel to Buenos Aires right after high school, because I was incredibly ready to get new experiences, new perspectives, and hopefully become fluent in Spanish, and I felt lucky to be able to travel to the other side of the world but at the same time have a Norwegian organization behind me during my studies. Buenos Aires is still new and overwhelming, but I am looking forward to getting to know all the city's secrets. I really love music, and especially jazz, and have a goal of finding the coolest places for both jazz and tango, maybe finding places that have delicious food for us poor students, and getting to know some of the millions of Argentines who are here in the city. I am also looking forward to new friendships in the wonderful Scandinavian group here at the study!
